There’s a reason why the shelf life of the debate over the final play of Monday night’s Patriots-Panthers game is so long. Playoff positioning, even playoff berths, may end up being decided by the wrong call.

Carolina beating New England, instead of vice versa, triggers a domino effect in two divisions and across both conferences’ wild-card races. The same is true as a result of no fewer than four other questionable officiating decisions affecting five teams. The Patriots were affected twice, as were the New York Jets.

(Disclaimer: the examples are hypothetical, assuming that if not for these calls alone, the result of the games would be reversed. Of course, that’s not true.)

Referees (AP Photo)

New England Patriots

What might have been: The Patriots lost to Carolina after a flag on the last play, for what appeared to be pass interference against Luke Kuechly, was picked up. Four weeks earlier, the Jets’ missed game-winning overtime field goal was negated when Chris Jones was called for “pushing” against the snapper. Without those two losses, the Patriots would be 9-1 and tied with the Broncos and Chiefs atop the AFC.

What it is now: At 7-3, they’re tangled with Indianapolis and Cincinnati for a first-round bye. Denver’s visit Sunday night is still big – but not as big as if they were playing for home-field advantage.

Carolina Panthers

What might have been: Had New England won after a pass-interference call put them at the 1-yard line, the Panthers would have seen their five-game winning streak end. They would have fallen to 6-4, two full games behind New Orleans, and into the mix with four other NFC teams with the same record in the wild-card race.

What it is now: Carolina is 7-3, just a game out of first place in the South, alone in the first wild-card spot, looking forward to two games against the Saints down the stretch, and still tied for the longest winning streak in the NFL.

San Francisco 49ers

What might have been: The 49ers were leading the Saints 20-17 with 3:20 left in the game. Had the fumble forced by Ahmad Brooks’ sack of Drew Brees stood, San Francisco could have preserved the win and improved to 7-3, alone in the first NFC wild-card spot.

What it is now: San Francisco has lost two in a row and, at 6-4, is tied with Arizona in its own division, never mind all the other wild-card teams. Seattle is almost out of sight in the division, leading by four with six games left. The defending NFC champs are fighting for their playoff lives.

New Orleans Saints

What might have been: Had Brooks not been called for hitting Brees in the neck, the Saints would have had to stop the 49ers and get the ball back just for a chance to tie the game. A loss, coupled with a possible Carolina win (see above), would have dropped them into a tie for first in the South at 7-3.

What it is now: The Saints are 8-2, still in first place and still with a bye for the first round—and can challenge the Seahawks for home-field advantage in the NFC. They play at Seattle next Monday night, as well as Carolina twice.

New York Jets

What might have been: They have caught breaks twice—with the pushing flag on the Patriots, and on opening day when a borderline hit out of bounds on Geno Smith by Tampa Bay’s Lavonte David set them up for the winning field goal. They could be two shaky calls away from being 3-7, with Rex Ryan squarely on the hot seat.

What it is now: At 5-5, the Jets hold the AFC’s last wild-card spot, with a tiebreaker over Miami and a one-game lead on six teams. Even one loss in those two games leaves them at 4-6 and chasing the final berth.